Political Science at California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,168/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
21.0x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $602K | $590K | $536K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 21.5x | 21.0x | 19.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 8.0x | 7.8x | 7.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 54 | 53 | 51 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,032
Out-of-state: $75,552 (7.8x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,236
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,758
86% growth from Year 1
About California State University-Long Beach
California State University-Long Beach accepts 47% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 34,131 students in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →Top Career Paths
Political scientists
$139,380/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Compare & Explore
Political Science at Other Schools
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Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at California State University-Long Beach?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Political Science field.
Will AI replace Political Science careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $535,654 in decade earnings vs $602,360 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Long Beach's Political Science program stand out?
Ranked #123 of 521 programs nationally, California State University-Long Beach lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →